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Toews treats 4-year-old at Blackhawks practice

Saturday, 03.01.2014 / 10:37 AM
Brian Hedger
- NHL.com Correspondent

CHICAGO -- When Nicholas Skretkowski showed up to Soldier Field on Friday night, the 4-year-old had his own stall inside the Chicago Blackhawks locker room.

It was located next to his favorite player, Jonathan Toews, and there was a Blackhawks uniform just his size waiting for him. His number was 19, like Toews, but his last name was written across the back of his jersey.

Then came the biggest thrill of all in his Make-A-Wish evening as a teammate of Toews. Assisted by a pass from his hockey idol, Nicholas scored a goal with a redirection into the net.

Skretkowski, who has a medical condition called Wilms’ tumor and strabismus, is from Milton, Ontario. He made the visit with his parents for the appearance at the Blackhawks' outdoor practice prior to playing the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday in the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series (8 p.m. ET; NBC).

It was a memory Nicholas won't forget, and it also was special for Toews.

"It was great ... not just to be out on the ice with him, but to have him in here with the guys," Toews said. "He seemed a little shy at first, but then kind of got more comfortable. Someone asked him about his favorite team and his favorite players. He seemed like he knew a lot for a little guy."

NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks and NHL Mobile name and logo, NHL GameCenter and Unlimited NHL are trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams.